Image Processing Software

[Astrobserver99]

I am looking at the various astronomical image processing software readily available as I am upgrading my current software. I am sure there are lot more.

So far I have found, in no particular order:

Astroart
AIP
Astra Image
Nebulosity
Deep Sky Stacker
Registax
Iris
Maxim
Images Plus

As well as the general graphics programs:

Photoshop
Corel Photopaint
PaintShop Pro

I currently use:

Corel Photopaint
Deep Sky Stacker
Iris
Nebulosity

These currently fullfill all my needs but not one program will do everything I want - stacking and aligning and processing (with all methods).

I am considering purchasing:

Astroart
AIP

I am greatly impressed by Astroart, does everything in the one package and has a very clean, easy to use interface. Still yet to try AIP.

Cheers, Rob

:)

[gbeal]

AstroArt 4 gets my vote, and it will control your Canon for capture as well.
Gary

[Astrobserver99]

AIP V2 is 40% lower in cost and comes with a book. :)

I don't think it has camera control, but I am using DSLR Focus already.

Cheers

[leon]

Rob, I have image Plus and API4 Win, plus PS2 and just love Image Plus, and PS2 it comes with all that you would need to stack, align, combine, and anything in between.

Now for API4 Win, leave it alone mate it is a heap of crap, :sadeyes: I hate it, and have a brand new copy with disc, that was sent to me by Bintell as the first copy was useless and I returned it.

It has been sitting on my book shelf ever since, but if you really want it make an offer, and it is yours.

Leon :thumbsup:

[bert]

I have tried Images plus and I didn't like the results I got, though that would more than likely be my fault. I found its interface kinda clunky.

I now use Astroart and love it. That said, I'm a newb at processing, so take my advice with a pinch of salt.

Brett

[Terry B]

Shame you don't like AIP4WIN.
I don't use it for image processing but it is great for photometry. Depends on your needs really.

[Astrobserver99]

Thanks for the comments all. I am a firm believer in try before you buy when it comes to software. Unfortunately, some companies do not provide evaluation versions. Probably pays to steer clear of these software. I will probably get AstroArt or Images Plus.

Leon, you probably saved me some dollars with AIP :)

Cheers,

[leon]

Rob, I'm sure I did, you would not like it for processing astro stuff.

Leon

[jase]

Everyone favours certain tools. In most cases, they'll all deliver core functions such as image calibration/reduction, registration etc. Look for the value added features. Regardless of your final selection, be prepared to get to know the product inside out. Knowing its strengths/weaknesses and what it does to your data is key to obtaining good results.

[Hagar]

For simplicity I stick with Images Plus. It has a lot of nice features but I also use Nebulosity for capture, Maxim for capture and some processing tools. In all cases one thing excells while other things are not so good or just damm hard to use.

Try, try and try again and then try some more.

[Astrobserver99]

Does anyone know where I could get the Images Plus Demo to try before I buy? I have visited Mike's site but the demo is unavailable.

Cheers,

[Tandum]

You need to email him and ask for a demo. It lasts a month I think. Deep Sky Stacker is the only one I've used that uses all 4 cpu's on this machine. All the others I have tried are single threaded and only use one CPU. This makes DSS the fastest I've tried. That said, I'm using maxim for capture and stacking at the moment.

[Astrobserver99]

Still waiting for the Images Plus Demo. In the mean time, I have evaluated AstroArt, Maxim DL, AIP and Autostar IP. As far as image processing goes, I do not get any improvement over my existing setup. I am using DeepSky Stacker and Corel Photopaint as the main programs and sometimes Nebulosity. Sure, Maxim and Astroart have a few extras, especially photometry and convolution filters, but I do not use these for most day to day processing. I can always use plugins in photopaint that do convolution and wavelet sharpening.

So, it looks like I will be using my existing programs for now.

Cheers,

[Astrobserver99]

Well, there is so much software to choose from. It all gets rather interesting which packages to use. A main graphics package such as Photoshop or Corel is great. Plus an astronomical processing package for extra features. Plus a camera control application. THe main ones seem to be Adobe or Corel for graphics, Maxim DL, Images Plus, Astroart or Nebulosity for astronomy.:D

[strongmanmike]

Hi Rob

Just wanted to put my bit in here.

I have used Astroart2, 3 and now 4 for camera and autoguider control, image calibration, sub alignment and LRGB combining since I first started in astroimaging back in mid 2003 and I have used no other IP programs in this time except for PS which I tend to use for curves and unsharp mask and final blending, layers etc. I guess this mkes me unqualified to compare programs really but I can certainly vouch for and endorse AA :thumbsup:

I find the camera control interface and autoguiding interface are excellent especially the on going bullseye record of the guide star centroid in real time.

The High pass, Low pass and DDP filters work very well and I use them all regularly. I don't like the unsharp mask filter though and always use PS for this.

So I guess I can say... there is no other image processing software for me :D

Cheers

Mike Sidonio